Sommeliers Association of India Celebrates One Year with Key Milestones

Sommeliers Association of India Celebrates One Year with Key Milestones

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 20, 2025

The Sommeliers Association of India (SAI) has completed a remarkable first year, emerging as a strong national platform for wine education and hospitality in India. Since its membership launch in October 2024, the Association has crossed 200 members, hosted India’s first SAI Best Sommelier Competition, and introduced the globally recognised Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) certifications and diploma programmes to India for the very first time.

SAI made its international debut when Co-Founder and President Amrita Singh presented India’s vision at the ASI 55th Anniversary and General Assembly in Monaco, where India was unanimously voted as a Member of ASI’s College of Applicants. This achievement placed India alongside globally recognised sommelier associations and opened doors for Indian professionals to connect with international standards in wine knowledge, service, and competitions.

“From the moment we stood before the ASI Executive Board in Monaco, our mission was clear, to build a platform that delivers rigorous education, real career pathways, and international exposure for Indian sommeliers,” said Amrita Singh, President, Sommeliers Association of India. “This first year proved that with focus, community, and collaboration, India can raise service standards, celebrate its culinary diversity, and compete confidently on the world stage.”

SAI’s first year featured several important milestones. Jai Singh was recognised as the 2025 SAI Best Sommelier of India and went on to represent the country at the 2025 ASI Contest Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has also been confirmed as India’s official candidate for the 2026 ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World in Lisbon, Portugal.

The Association hosted India’s first ASI Diploma and ASI Certification Level 1, and supported five Indian sommeliers as they attended the ASI Bootcamp in Singapore. National initiatives such as the Sommelier of the Month programme and the upcoming SAI Job Board and Travel Board continue to engage and support members across the country.

SAI has also built strong partnerships with leading international platforms including JancisRobinson.com, JaneAnson.com, GuildSomm, California Wines, Sonal Holland Wine Academy, and Food Matters Group, giving Indian sommeliers access to world-class learning resources.

The leadership team includes Amrita Singh (Co-Founder & President), Mattia Antonio Cianca (Co-Founder & Vice President), Salvatore Castano (Co-Founder & Vice President), and Vinod Abrol (Co-Founder & Vice President), bringing together some of the most respected names in global wine education. Their collective vision centres on education, integrity, inclusion, and opportunities for sommeliers, bartenders, and enthusiasts across India’s fast-growing hospitality sector.

Looking ahead, SAI aims to expand its certifications and partnerships while working towards hosting ASI Certification Level 2 and the ASI Diploma 2026 in India. The Association is also developing a national mentorship and scholarship programme to support emerging talent.

“This is just the beginning,” said Mattia Antonio Cianca, Co-Founder and Vice President of SAI. “We are shaping a generation of Indian sommeliers who will not only serve with skill and knowledge but represent India as part of the global dialogue on wine, hospitality, and culture.”


Seoul Dak Expands Footprint with First Mall Outlet at Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai

Seoul Dak Expands Footprint with First Mall Outlet at Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Seoul Dak has marked a key expansion milestone with the launch of its first-ever mall outlet at Phoenix Marketcity in Kurla, Mumbai. Known for introducing authentic Korean flavours to Indian diners, the brand has previously built its presence through high-street locations and now enters a high-visibility retail environment for the first time.

The new outlet has been designed to bring the energy of modern Seoul into a mall setting, blending neon-inspired interiors, youthful design elements, and a vibrant ambience suited for both quick bites and relaxed dining. With this launch, Seoul Dak aims to make Korean cuisine more accessible to Mumbai’s growing base of K-culture fans, families, and young professionals.

As interest in Korean entertainment, fashion, and food continues to rise in India, the brand is focusing on offering an immersive dining experience rooted in authenticity while reflecting contemporary Seoul’s cultural identity.

The menu continues to highlight Seoul Dak’s signature offerings, led by its popular Korean Fried Chicken available in flavours such as Volcano, Hot & Spicy, Ganjang, and K-BBQ. The outlet also features Korean staples including Ramen, Tteokbokki, and Korean Corn Dogs, along with refreshing K-Pop Coolers and indulgent Bingsus.

To mark the launch, Seoul Dak will host a grand opening event on 10th July featuring interactive games, live entertainment, and themed experiences including a photobooth inspired by Korean pop culture. The celebration is expected to bring together food lovers and fans of Korean culture in Mumbai.

Speaking on the launch, Sean Lee, Founder of Seoul Dak, said the Phoenix Marketcity outlet represents a new chapter for the brand as it expands into mall formats. He added that the goal is to offer not just authentic Korean food, but also a cultural experience that reflects the creativity and vibrancy of Seoul.

With this opening, Seoul Dak continues its growth journey in India, focusing on expanding its footprint through new locations, menu innovations, and culturally driven dining experiences that bring Korean flavours closer to Indian consumers.


Third Table Redefines Goa Café Culture with a “Third Space” Built for Long-Stay Living

Third Table Redefines Goa Café Culture with a “Third Space” Built for Long-Stay Living

By Hariharan U

Published on June 29, 2026

Goa’s evolving café culture is no longer just about holiday stops and beachside breaks. A quieter shift is underway in areas like Porvorim, where cafés are beginning to reflect a more permanent way of living rather than a temporary escape.

At the centre of this change is Third Table, a new café founded by Anjali Gupta and located between Panjim and the busy Candolim–Calangute stretch. The neighbourhood itself has seen a steady rise in expats, remote workers, and creatives over recent years, particularly after the widespread adoption of flexible and work-from-anywhere lifestyles. What was once a transitional space is now becoming increasingly rooted in everyday living.

Third Table is built around the idea of a “third space”, neither home nor work, but something intentionally in between. It is designed as a place where mornings are unhurried, work feels less transactional, and time is experienced at a more natural pace. The café reflects a broader behavioural shift in Goa, where longer stays are reshaping how people interact with food, community, and public spaces.

This philosophy extends into the experience itself. Rather than fixed meal formats, the menu features customizable breakfast boards, allowing guests to build their own plates depending on their pace and preference for the day. The offering is complemented by design-led desserts and freshly brewed canned coffee, blending a sit-down café experience with a more flexible, contemporary format suited to hybrid lifestyles.

Inside, the space is defined by natural light, greenery, and a calm aesthetic that encourages guests to stay longer than planned. The atmosphere is intentionally unhurried, aligning with the café’s core idea that it is not a stopover, but a place to settle into.

Third Table also reflects a wider transformation in Goa’s identity. As the state increasingly becomes a long-stay base rather than a short-term vacation destination, cafés are evolving into anchor points in daily routines. Spaces like Third Table are emerging not just as food and beverage outlets, but as essential parts of how people structure their everyday lives.

For founder Anjali Gupta, the concept draws inspiration from European café culture, where cafés function less as transactional spaces and more as places of ritual, familiarity, and community. Third Table brings that sensibility into a Goan context, blending global influence with the region’s inherent “susegad” approach to life.

Rather than positioning itself as just another café in Goa’s growing hospitality landscape, Third Table is attempting to redefine what a café can represent in a place that is steadily shifting from tourism-led rhythm to lived-in experience.

At its core, Third Table is not just responding to Goa’s café scene, it is responding to how people now choose to live there.


Kinya Coffee Introduces Weekend Breakfast Experience in Bengaluru's Indiranagar

Kinya Coffee Introduces Weekend Breakfast Experience in Bengaluru's Indiranagar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 28, 2026

Kinya Coffee is bringing a fresh take on Bengaluru's growing breakfast culture with the launch of The Weekend Breakfast, a curated morning experience designed for those who enjoy good food, exceptional coffee and unhurried conversations.

Hosted every Saturday and Sunday at its Indiranagar café, the initiative celebrates the idea of slowing down and making breakfast an occasion rather than a routine. Inspired by the café cultures of cities such as Paris, London and Melbourne, the experience aims to create a welcoming space where guests can gather, connect and enjoy their weekends at a relaxed pace.

image

Located in one of Bengaluru's most vibrant neighbourhoods, Kinya Coffee is tapping into the city's evolving appreciation for breakfast-focused dining experiences. As more people embrace leisurely mornings, breakfast is increasingly becoming a social and cultural experience rather than simply the first meal of the day.

The menu brings together a selection of globally loved breakfast dishes, including Eggs Benedict, Turkish Çılbır, Shakshuka, Japanese Tamago Sandwiches, breakfast boards, pancakes and French toast. Each dish has been thoughtfully prepared to offer familiar flavours with attention to detail and quality.

Complementing the food menu is Kinya's specialty coffee and matcha programme. Guests can choose from espresso-based beverages, pour-over coffees, cold brews and ceremonial-style matcha, all crafted to enhance the overall breakfast experience. The focus is on creating beverages that encourage guests to linger a little longer and enjoy the moment.

Beyond the menu, The Weekend Breakfast is designed as a gathering space for Bengaluru's diverse community. Whether it's entrepreneurs catching up before the week ahead, families enjoying quality time together, friends reconnecting over coffee or travellers exploring the city's café culture, the experience offers a setting that brings people together.

In a fast-paced world, Kinya Coffee's latest offering embraces the simple joy of slowing down. With comforting food, carefully crafted beverages and a warm atmosphere, The Weekend Breakfast aims to become a go-to destination for Bengaluru's weekend mornings.

  • Location: Kinya Coffee, 12th Main Road, Indiranagar
  • Date: Every Saturday & Sunday
  • Time: 9 AM – 1 PM

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.